Sparta&K Hang On To Qualify

09.02.2011

EUROLEAGUE WOMEN

Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje held off Beretta-Famila Schio down the stretch to book their place in the Quarter Finals of the EuroLeague Women with a 69-63 win.

Veteran Sue Bird scored 18 points and Taj McWilliams added 14 and nine rebounds as Sparta&K delighted fans who had been made to wait for a tip off pushed back due to bad weather delaying the arrival of the Italian team.

Once the game did get going, it was a tight battle until Sparta&K busted it open with a 9-2 run early in the second quarter.

They held an edge until early in the second half, when Beretta reeled off 10 straight points, with Jenifer Nadalin's lay-up putting them up 43-42.

But Bird got the first four of seven consecutive Sparta&K points that gave them a lead they would not relinquish again.

The drama was not over though. From 59-52 down, Schio got baskets from Yacoubou-Dehoui and Chiara Pastore to get back to 59-58 with 4:16 to go.

Janel McCarville had a chance to put them in front, but her jump-shot missed and Yacoubou-Dehoui turned the ball over after getting the rebound.

Epifaniya Prints extended the Sparta&K lead before further baskets from Bird and Ilona Korstin gave them the breathing space they needed.

Noel Kuin finished with 10 points for the home team.

Macchi led Beretta with 18 points while McCarville had 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Yacoubou-Dehoui finished with 10 points.

Sparta&K had won the opening game 65-60 only for Beretta to pull off a dramatic 66-64 win in Game 2.